Lateral Stabilizer Rod: Service and Repair

LATERAL LINKS

REMOVAL

CAUTION: Do not attempt to straighten or repair a lateral link. Do not apply heat to the lateral link adjusting screws or to the jam nuts, when loosening or adjusting the lateral links.

NOTE: The rear suspension lateral links are only serviced as complete assemblies. The isolator bushings used in the lateral links are not serviced as separate components.

FORWARD LATERAL LINK
1. Raise vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.





3. Remove the rear stabilizer bar link from the forward lateral link.
4. Remove the nut, bolt and washer attaching the forward lateral link to the knuckle.





5. Remove the nut and bolt attaching the lateral link to the rear suspension crossmember.
6. Remove the forward lateral link from the vehicle.

REAR LATERAL LINK
1. Raise vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.





3. Remove the nut, bolt and washer attaching the lateral link to the knuckle.





4. Remove the bolt and nut attaching the lateral link to the rear suspension crossmember.
5. Remove rear lateral link from vehicle.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: Do not attempt to straighten or repair a lateral link. Do not apply heat to the lateral link adjusting screws or to the jam nuts, when loosening or adjusting the lateral links.

FORWARD LATERAL LINK
1. Install the lateral link and the attaching nut and bolt at rear suspension crossmember. The forward lateral link is to be installed with the cup in cast portion facing down and toward rear knuckle.
2. Install the lateral link and attaching nut, bolt and washer at rear knuckle.
3. Torque both lateral link attaching bolts to 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the rear stabilizer bar attaching link, isolator bushings and attaching nut on the forward lateral link. Tighten the attaching nut to a torque of 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.).
5. Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle. Progressively tighten the wheel mounting nuts in crisscross sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
6. Lower vehicle to the ground.
7. Check and reset rear wheel Camber and Toe to specifications if required.

REAR LATERAL LINK
1. Install the lateral link and the attaching nut and bolt at rear suspension crossmember. The rear lateral link is to be installed with the adjusting screw toward rear suspension crossmember, not rear knuckle.
2. Install the lateral link and the attaching nut, bolt and washer at rear knuckle.
3. Torque both lateral link attaching bolts to 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.).
4. Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle. Progressively tighten the wheel mounting nuts in crisscross sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
5. Lower vehicle.
6. Check and reset rear wheel Camber and Toe to specifications if required.